1992-FINANCE COMMITTEE - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

if s I� Tony mentioned that we need to be really careful that we do not hinder negotiations. Ed indicated that he felt Deidre was not stating that we should freeze salaries but to establish a budget as if salaries were frozen and then any department that gives a raise would have to figure out how to fund that raise within their existing budget. Tony stated that you still need to be really careful doing that. When you are not funding a raise, in a sense, you are interferring with a contract if a department cannot in way fund a raise. Al questioned whether the Finance Committee could recommend a 35 hour week instead of a 40 hour week. Diane stated that you cannot change a contract, if the contract states you work 40 hours per week. Tony mentioned that the Finance Committee had done it before. Ed indicated that the committee had done it on P.A.P. Accounts, but not for the fire chief or police chief's position, etc. Diane indicated that all you can really do is cut their overtime account. Ed suggested that we stick to finances and not get into layoffs or cutting hours, only that the Finance , Committee makes recommendations of $0.00. Tony stated that we need to set priorities right down the line. Voters will then have to decide whether or not they want that particular service. He does not want to cut down all departments to the point that they are running ineffectively. By setting priorities we can make certain that a • department can run effectively. Deidre mentioned that she would like to see a fire budget that has no discretionary training. She felt we have enough paramedics. Tony stated that he had spent over an hour at the police department and that they had told him the Board of Selectmen told them not to hire any new officers. The selectmen felt it was cheaper to pay the officers time and a half rather than a new hire's benefits. Tony stated that he questioned having two cruisers and the answer was that they only have two now. They are understaffed. Deidre spoke about the three dispatchers. She felt that two were definetly needed per shift because they not only dispatch but they check the cells and work the desk. Members agreed to meet on Thursday and start prioritizing departments. The top priorities are of course, fire, police and school. They will prioritize with the list that John handed out previously. Ed asked John to request a copy of the FY 91 End of Year Report that was submitted to the Department of Education. Al asked John to get the School Department's fringe benefit package, for example the benefits of custodians, teachers, food services. They probably all have different benefits. The Finance Committee will meet again on Thursday, February 6, 1992 at 7:00 P.M. and discuss the Fire Department and touch on the Police Department. Ed also asked members to look over his proposal, but to add a third Waterways Assistant adding another $4,160.00 to the lowest number. The meeting adjourned at 9 :30 P.M.